Youth Issues in Our Community

We know that we have thousands of caring, involved, law-abiding youth in our community. We also know that there are young people who need our help.

Our Community Impact Profile showed that:

• We have a growing rate of teen pregnancy - 37.9 per 1,000 in females aged 15 to 19

• 16% of youth in our Health Region smoke (2000)

• Between 1997-1999, there was an average of 3.49 charges related to serious (non cannabis) drug offences by juveniles (12-17 year olds), lower than the GVRD rate but considerably higher than Langley and Coquitlam.

• Between 1997-1999, there were an average of 5.3 serious property crime per 1,000 of the juveniles - higher than Langley, Coquitlam and the GVRD.

• Between 1997-1999, there were an average of 3.4 (per 1,000 of juveniles) incidents of violent crime by juveniles.

A recent Youth Needs Assessment (2001) showed that:

• There is a high need for alcohol and drug treatment and prevention programs in our community

• There is a need for more after-school programming for youth in neighbourhoods around the community.

• Youth often find it difficult to attend recreational and sports programs because of a lack of transportation and finances

• There is a need for free or affordable family counselling

• There are limited services for youth requiring help because of mental health issues. Only those with the most serious needs are being served.

• There is a need for housing for homeless youth

• Sexual exploitation of youth in our community is on the rise. Pimps from Vancouver are recruiting heavily in the suburbs because youth here are deemed to be more naïve and easier to manipulate into the sex trade.

• Jobs, job training and job search skills are a very high priority for youth.

Are there youth issues in your neighbourhood? What other issues are there? — Join together with your neighbours to contribute your ideas, hear those of others and create strategies to improve your neighbourhood and community.

To learn more about Building Community Solutions activities or to get involved, contact the Building Community Solutions Coordinator at 604 467 7433 or by email.